Hyatt to build three new Saudi hotels in next four years

US-based hospitality group Hyatt has announced plans to open three new hotels in Saudi Arabia over the next four years as part of its regional expansion drive.

The Chicago-based group will launch the new properties in partnership with Naseel Holding Company, under the Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt banners.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an important market for Hyatt, having just increased our worldwide sales team to include on the ground support in the country,” said Peter Fulton, managing director for Hyatt International South West Asia, the affiliate which will manage the properties.

“Expanding the number of Hyatt-branded hotels in the Kingdom will be a significant step towards our goal[s].”

In May last year, Hyatt said it was in talks for future Middle East developments but had no firm plans for the region yet.

It currently has just one property in Saudi Arabia; the Park Hyatt Jeddah - Marina Club and Spa, and a further six under development across the company’s five brands.

The three new properties will include the 240-room Hyatt Regency Jeddah, expected to open in the second half of 2015, and the 275-room Park Hyatt Riyadh, slated for launch in the fourth quarter of the same year.

The largest of the three properties, the Grand Hyatt Jeddah, will have as many as 400-rooms and begin operations in early 2016, the company said.

Hyatt also recently opened its first hotels in Abu Dhabi, with the launch of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi on Saaidyat Island in October and Hyatt Capital Centre, located in the world’s furthest leaning manmade tower, the Capital Gate Tower in January.

It has three hotels in Dubai with approximately 1,500 employees.